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The Skv Riders 



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The Sky Riders 



A Comedy in Three Acts 

BY 

Thomas L. Marble 

Author of "Won by Wireless," "Polly in Politics," Etc. 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1913 






Copyright 1913 by The Penn Publishing Company 



©CID 41035 

JUN24I9I5 



The Sky Riders 



CHARACTERS 

Algernon Gordon Brown . . an aviator by fiecessi/y. 
Horace Saunders . . a birdman of the same feather. 

Teddy Nixon a wire/ess operator. 

KOMA a Japa7iese servant. 

Mrs. Algernon Gordon Brown . . a sentimental wife. 

Helen Brown ] 

Juliana Brown | her daugnters. 



SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — The living-room of Algernon Gordon Brown's 
bungalow on the southern coast of California. Morning. 
*' Off for Honolulu." 

Act II. — The same. Sunrise next morning. '' The 
Wreck of the Aeroplane." 

Act III. — The same. The following morning. <* The 
Swallows Homeward Fly." 

Time in Representation : — Two hours. 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

Algernon Gordon Brown has come to California with his 
daughter, Juliana, to find a residence for Mrs. Brown. An 
aviator of precisely the same name is startling California 
with his daredevil feats. Mrs. Brown thinks the aviator is 
her husband, and with a second daughter, Helen, rushes 
west to join him. She arrives just when the real aviator is to 
make an air flight to Honolulu, and she has boasted so of 
her husband's supposed success that he cannot bear to dis- 



4 STORY OF THE PLAY 

illusion her. Juliana keeps it up as a huge joke on her 
mother and sister. A young newspaper man, Saunders, and 
Teddy Nixon, a wireless operator, in love with the two 
sisters, are also in the plot. A Japanese servant, Koma, 
discovers the truth, but is silenced. I'hereal aviator begins 
his trip, Brown says good-bye to his wife and is supposed to 
be off for Honolulu, accompanied by Saunders, although 
they are really in hiding near by. Brown is nearly caught 
several times. When news comes of a disaster in mid-ocean, 
Mrs. Brown is prostrated. Helen sees her father and thinks 
he's a ghost. Ted, the wireless operator, gets timely news 
of a rescue. Brown and Saunders return triumphant. Mrs. 
Brown, proud and happy, promises never to mention avia- 
tion to her husband again, and the two love stories end 
happily. 



COSTUMES 



Brown. Act I. Business suit ; aviation costume on 
second entrance. An effective and humorous aviation suit 
may be made of brown *^ cambric" cotton, in one piece from 
neck to feet. The feet of the suit may cover the shoes, or 
heavy leather shoes laced high on the ankles may be worn. 
A cap, goggles and gauntlets complete the costume. Act II. 
Aviation costume. Act III. Motor costume. 

Saunders. Acts I and II. Business suit. Act III. 
Motor costume. 

Teddy. Acts I and II. White flannel suit. Act III. 
Motor costume. 

Koma. Dark green livery. 

Mrs. Brown and Helen. Appropriate summer gowns. 
Kimonos, first entrance in Act II. 

Juliana. Light summer gown. 



PROPERTIES 



A talking machine with numerous records ; parasol ; note 
for Koma; lighted cnndle ; white duck suit ; fan; wireless 
message ; long pencil and slip of paper ; newspapers. 



SCENE PLOT 



GARDEN BACK.ING 



OO '^ ^o V 

PALMS^ PALMS \. 

DOOK_R.2E LZE-OOOfO 

/ ^''^"^ n ^ \ 

*- * ' CHAIRS *• 



OOOILR-IE 



CHAIBjS 

L IE DOOR- 




Scene. — Living-room in Brown's bungalow. Wide en- 
trance c, with garden backing, and palms each side of door. 
Entrances also r. and l., as indicated. Chair and sofa r., 
two chairs and table l., as shown. Two of the chairs should 
be light, of the same pattern, and should have straight 
backs. The room should be handsomely furnished. 



PUBLISHED FOR AMATEURS ONLY 
For professional rights address the au:hor, 
in care of the publishers, 



The Sky Riders 



ACT I 

Off for Honolulu 



SCENE. — Interior ^/Algernon Gordon Brown's bunga- 
low 071 the southern coast of Cal'iJor7iia. There are 
doors in the right and left walls of the scene, indicated in 
the stage directions as R. i E. a fid R. 2 E., L. i E. and 
l. 2 E. Large folding doors, located at C, back, stand 
open, revealing a luxuriant garden beyond. Table, chairs, 
etc. On the table are books, magazines, and a large 
palm- leaf fan. At either side of the foldi?ig doors there 
are potted palms, arranged with a view to the require- 
ments of the action in Act II. The roo??i is tastefully 
furnished. 

{Tlie curtain rises to the strains of a talking machifie, heard 
faintly in the distafice. If the record is available, ^^ La 
Taloma " is suggested as an appropriate selection. KoiMA 
is discovered standing in the open doorway, C, listening.') 

(^Enter Helen Brown, r. i e.) 

Helen {calling). Koma ! 

KoMA {co7nin^ forward obsequiously). Yaas, mees. 

Helen. Do you hear the music ? 

KoMA. I lisden, mees. 

Helen. Sounds like a talking machine, doesn't it ? 

Koma. I thing so, mees. 

Helen. Some one must be serenading us. 

Koma. Vaery likely, mees. 

(Koma returns to doorway afid looks off R.) 

7 



6 THE SKY RIDERS 

Helen. Ah, me ! — how disillusioning ! I fancied Cali- 
fornia was the land of tinkling mandolins and Spanish 
guitars. 1 find it as coldly scientific as the rest of the 
world. 

KoMA {poinlifig off r.). See, mees ! There's a man on 
the piazza of the red-roofed bungalow. 

Helen {tnovifig to doorzvay). The mechanical serenader, 
no doubt. 

KuMA. I thing he mek honorable music machine go — if 
thad whad you mean. 

(Helen turns in the doorway and looks off r. hi the direc- 
tion indicated by KoxMA. Suddenly she starts with 
surprise. ) 

Helen. Why ! I — I wonder who he can be. 

KoMA (^quickly). 1 go fin' oud, mees. 
Helen {affecting indifference). Oh, don't bother. I — 
I'm not at all curious. 

KoMA. No? All the same 1 go, mees. 
Helen. Well — if you insist. 
KoMA. Thang you, mees. 

(^Exit KoMA, c. Helen remains at the doorway gazing 

'>/'<■) 

Helen (rapturously'). Oh, if my eyes have not deceived 
me, it is he — my hero! {Listens to the 7?iusic.) "Oh, 
come to me ! " That's what my heart has been singing 
ever since we left the Overland Limited — and now he has 
come ! Oh, it's fate — I'm sure it is ! 

(^She opens 7vide her arms and utters a sigh of ecstasy. The 
music ceases.) 

{Enter Mrs. Algernon Gordon Brown, l. i e. ) 

IMrs. B. Why, Helen, what are you doing? 

Helen {slightly disconcerted). I ? Oh — er — just breath- 
ing in the perfume of the flowers — that's all. 

Mrs. B. {sniffing). The air is very fragrant this morn- 
ing. We're gomg to have a pleasant winter, I think. 

Helen {co?ni/ig dotvn stage). Of course ! The climate 
is simply glorious. It will do you a lot of good. Oh, I 
hope we'll never have to go back to that frozen old East 



THE SKY RIDERS 9 

Mrs. B. California is delightful, certainly. 

Helen. Delightful? It's heavenly ! The limitless ocean ! 
— the azure sky ! Why, my soul takes wings at the very 
thought 

Mks. B. Just like your father, for all the world ! 

Helen. Yes, just like father. 

Mrs. B. What an intrepid spirit he has. And just to 
think, we used to think he was afraid of cats ! I'm afraid I 
never understood that man at all. To think he should go 
up in a balloon and 

Helen. Not a balloon, mother, an aeroplane. 

Mrs. B. Well, it's all the same, isn't it ? 

Helen {glad to show her knoiv ledge). Not at all. Mr. 
Saunders explained it to me. It's a — a biplane, or a hydro- 
plane, or something like that. 

Mrs. B. Well, there's some kind of a balloon in it, isn't 
there ? If there wasn't how could it stay up in the air ? 

Helen. Why, here, I'll show you — it's something like 
this. {She takes two light chairs and lays them ofi the 
floor, l., so that their backs point toward each other.) 
There. It has a frame something like that. The aviator 
sits here in the middle, and the wind pressure on the planes, 
here, you see 

Mrs. B. No, I don't see at all. I must get your father 
to show it to me at once. I'm afraid it's very dangerous. 
{The 77iiisic begins again.) Where's that music? 

Helen. Oh, mother, it's I think it's somebody 

serenading me. 

Mrs. B. Serenading you ! Well, upon my word. I 
must see about this. Who is it ? 

{Exit, c.) 

Helen {following her). Oh, mother, don't 

{Exit, c.) 

{Enter Brown, l. 2 e. He is reading; a neivspaper ; does 
not see the chairs, and falls over them, sprawling.) 

Brown {on the floor, rubbing his shin). Oh, ouch ! 
Who in the name of all that's bone-headed put those 

{Efiter Juliana Brown, c.) 

Juliana {laughing). Hello, dad ! Practicing how to 
fall without hurting yourself? {She comes down R.) 



10 THE SKY RIDERS 

Brown. No, I ain't. I'm practicing how to live in a 
house full of darned fools and not lose my temper. 

{He walks about li?fipifig.) 

Juliana {suppressing a laugh). Well, dad, it's a fine 
thing to learn. The world's full of them, they say. 

{Slie crosses L., picks up cJiairs, and puts them in place.) 

Brown. Right you are, Julie. And I'm the biggest one 
of all, I guess. 

Juliana {comitig back to hint). Not quite, dad. 

Brown. Well, I don't know. Here's your mother and 
sister bitten with this aviation bug, and insisting I'm the 
daring aviator, Brown, who is doing all these hair-raising 
stunts, and I haven't denied it. 

Juliana. Well, if it tickles them 

Brown {grinning). That's just it, Julie. Of course I 
never in my life went up in anything more dangerous than 
an elevator, but it's been such fun to fool them for a little 
while that I've let them go on and make a hero of me. But 
they're making me feel silly, Julie. {Co7?ies down l.) 

Juliana. Oh, don't spoil the joke yet, dad. Hush, 
here they come. I'm going to skip. I'll be sure to laugh. 
Keep it up a while longer, dad. It's too rich. 

{Exit, R. 2 E.) 

{Eiiter Mrs. B. and Helen, c. They do not see Brown.) 

Mrs. B. But a talking machine, my dear ! 

Helen. Oh, mother, you don't understand. That's 
the poetic West. It uses the most prosaic things in such a 
big way. 

Brown. Eh! What's that? {They turn toward him.') 

Mrs. B. Oh, there's your father. 

Brown {rubbing his knee). What's left of him. What 
were you saying, Helen ? 

Helen. I was just telling mother that my soul takes 
wino^s at the thought of this great, boundless West. 

Mrs. B. And that, dear Algernon, is so like your own 
unfettered spirit — ever soaring above the limitations of time 
and space 

Brown {nervously looking around as though wishing to 
escape). Yes, yes ; I know. 



THE SKY RIDERS II 

Mrs. B. Oh, you're always deprecating your powers ! 

Helen. Aviators like you, father dear 

Mrs. B. {severely). Helen, I'm surprised ! There are 
no aviators like your father. 

Brown (Jialf aside). I guess that's right. 

Mrs. B. {coiitinui7ig). None so courageous, none so 



daring 

Brown. Come, come ; spare my blushes. 

Mrs. B. Such modesty ! 

Brown. You see, my dear, I've accomplished so very 
little. 

Mrs. B. Little ? Do you call the flight of the eagle ? 

Brown. Well, I'm not exactly a bird, I hope. 

Mrs. B. You fly as well. 



Brown. Nonsense! You're prejudiced. Really, I 



Helen. Now, daddy dear, you know that's what the 
papers said. 

Mrs. B. We were both so proud when we read it ! 

Brown. Oh, these Western chaps make a big noise. 

Helen. But we read about it in the Eastern papers. 

Brown. H'm ! So you did. 

Mrs. B. Up to that time, Algernon, I confess I had 
doubted your courage. 

Brown {as though deeply grieved). Alberta ! — how 
could you ? 

Mrs. B. I felt (oh, it shames me to admit it !) that you 
lacked initiative; that your heart quailed before those daring 
feats which have challenged the admiration of womankind 
since the days of knighthood and chivalry. 

Brown [reproachfully). You thought — that ! 

Mrs. B. 1 did, indeed. Can you ever forgive me? 

Brown Quag uajiimou sly). Well — I'll try. 

Helen. Why, we supposed your only object in coming 
to California was to seek a climate in which poor dear 
mamma might regain her wasted strength. 

Brown. That was my object, Helen. 

Mrs. B. One object — yes. But we were soon to learn 
that you had a greater, a more important mission to fulfil. 

Brown {effusively). Nothing could be more important 
than your welfare, my dear. 

Mrs. B. I'm deeply grateful to you for thinking so. 
Nevertheless, the advancement of science 

Brown. Oh, hang the advancement of science ! 



12 THE SKY RIDERS 

Mrs. B. AVhy, Algernon ! 
Brown. Alberta, it's no use 



Helen {ivith eiithusiasiti). Oh, dad, I'll never forget 
the day the great news came ! 1 read it first in the morn- 
ing papers. Such a thrill as the head-lines gave us ! (Zb 
Mrs. B.) Do you recall what they said ? 

Mrs. B. 1 remember perfectly. " Daring feat of Al- 
gernon Gordon Brown ! Hero of the aviation meet at Los 
Angeles ! He flies upside down ! " 

Helen. The very words ! I gasped with astonishment 
as I read them. VVas this reckless adventurer my shy, 
home-loving papa? No; it must be a similarity of names. 
I read the detailed account. Your every characteristic was 
described to perfection. Even your antipathy to photo- 
graphs 

Mrs. B. In short, dear Algernon, our doubts were dis- 
pelled completely. 

Brown. H'm ! Didn't take much to dispel 'em. 

Mrs. B. Algernon, you surprise me ! Could there be 
any question that the newspapers leferred to you when they 
said: *'Mr. Brown's daring was equaled only by his 
modesty " ? 

Brown. Well, that was a clincher, I admit. 

Mrs. B. It certainly was. 

Helen. Next we read that you had rented a bungalow 
on the Pacific coast for the winter. 

Mrs. B. We waited no longer, but wired you we were 
flying straight to our new nest on the wings of the Overland 
Limited. 

Brown. Yes; and here you are ! — arrived last evening. 

Helen. Ah, what a triumphant journey it was ! 

Mrs. B. Yes, indeed ! We were the sensation of the 
hour. 

Helen. And how excited Mr. Saunders became when 
he learned that the great Algernon Gordon Brown was my 
own dear father ! 

Brown. Eh? What's that? Who the deuce is Mr. 
Saunders ? 

Mrs. B. a very estimable young journalist who crossed 
the continent with us. His attentions to Helen were— ^ 
marked. 

Helen {shyly). Mamma ! 

Mrs. B. Oh, everybody noticed it. 



THE SKY RIDERS 1 3 

Helen (eagerly). Really ! Well, anyhow, he confided 
a great secret to me. 

Brown. He did, eh ? 

Helen. Yes — can't you guess what it is ? 

Brown {mystified^. 1? Why, what have I to do with 
his secrets ? 

Helen. Everything. Oh, dad, we know it all ! 

Brown. Oh, do you ? 

Helen. The paper that employs Mr. Saunders has sent 
him to California to accompany you on the great expedition. 

Brown. The — the what ? 

Helen {triumphantly). The aerial expedition to Hono- 
lulu. 

Brown (^gasping). To Ho-no-lu-lu ! 

Mrs. B. Certainly, dear. Don't act so innocent. 

Brown. Well, I — I hope you don't think I'm guilty. 

Mrs. B. No; but you've had a sort of hangdog look 
ever since we arrived. 

Helen (siveetly). Of course we understand the reason. 

Brown. You do ? 

Mrs. B. It isn't easy to tell a loving wife and child that 
you've decided to face the awful perils of sky and sea. 

Brown. That's so. 

Mrs. B. Ah, but you need worry no longer. We're 
only women — but we, too, can be brave. 

Brown. I know it. 

Helen. Why, we'd scorn to be motes in the sunshine 
of Progress. 

Brown {iiervously). Yes, yes — of course you would. 

Mrs. B. {graiuliloquently). Go, Algernon ! — go forth 
on triumphant pinions ! 

Brown (i-//^?;-//);). Do what? Surely you're not willing 
to have me cross the Pacific Ocean in — in a flying-machine? 

Mrs. B. (Jinperturbably). Oh, we're going to be per- 
fectly reasonable about it. 

Brown. I see you are. 

Helen. Women have buckled on the armor of their 
warriors since the world was young. 

Brown. Well, what do you take me for? — a flying Don 
Quixote? 

Mrs. B. {emphatically). You're the greatest aviator now 
livinsT. 

Brown {irritably). Huh ! I won't be living long if I 



14 THE SKY RIDERS 

embark in that .tipsy air-ship. Then what will become of 
you? 

Mrs. B. Oh, we'll cuddle up here in the cozy little nest 
you've prepared for us — Helen and Juliana and I, — a 
mother bird and her fledgelings waiting the father bird's 
return. 

Brown (^grimly). Well, Papa Birdie'll have to be a duck 
if he ever gets across the ocean. 

Helen. Nonsense, dad ! You're going to win fame and 
fortune, and add lustre to the name of Brown. 

Brown. Oh, I'll be done brown all right. 

Mrs. B. Algernon, it's the chance of a lifetime. 

Brow^n. Yes — and the last chance, I reckon. 

Helen. Oh, aren't you just about happy enough to — to 
expire? 

Brown {sig7iificantly). Just about, thank you. 

Mrs. B. Mr. Saunders himself is an experienced aero- 
naut, you know — and he's going with you. 

Brown {dryly). Awfully kind of him, I'm sure. 

Helen (lumijig to Mrs. B.). Do you know, mamma, I 
think Mr. Saunders is already here. 

Mrs: B. Do you, really ? 

Helen. Yes. At least some one who looks strikingly 
like him was serenading us with a talking machine just now 
down there by the umbrella-trees. 

Brown {nervously). Well, I — I guess I'll interview him 
at once. There are — er — certain matters I ought to discuss 
with him. 

Mrs. B. Of course. Why, the expedition may set sail 
at any moment. Mr. Saunders said they only waited his 
arrival. 

(Brown moves toivard dooi'ivay, c.) 

Helen. Stop a bit, pa. (Brown /^//j<?i-.) I've already 
sent Koma to make inquiries. 

{Eiiter Juliana, l. 2 e.) 

Juliana. Air-ship, ahoy ! 

Mrs. B. {starting). Goodness ! 

Helen {reassuringly). Don't be alarmed, ma; it's only 
Juliana. 

Juliana. Yes; it's only little Julie. (7//r;/j /^ Brown.) 
By the way, dad, have 1 the correct aeronautical salutation ? 



THE SKY RIDERS I5 

Brown (^fretfully). Oh, don't ask me ! 

Juliana. Now please be nice. You see I'm very eager 
to learn all about aviation — now that you've become a cele- 
brated bird man. 

Brown. Celebrated nothing ! 

Mrs. B. Algernon, you shouldn't be so petulant. You 
can't expect us to smother our pride in your achievements, 
even if you are so painfully modest. 

Juliana. Oh, geniuses are always difficult to live with, 
mummy dear. 

Mrs. B. {ivith a sigh of resignation). I suppose so. 

Helen. Well, dad is certainly a genius. 

Juliana. Oh, yes, indeed — and then some ! Why, until 
I took this Western trip with him, I didn't half realize his — 
er— possibilities. 

Brown {jnoving again toward door^ c). I — I — ah — I 
must be going. 

Juliana. If you're walking along the shore, just take a 
look at the hangar. 

Brown (^gasping weakly). The hangar ! 

Juliana. Yes; the place where they keep the aeroplane. 
I discovered it this morning : it's over there beyond the 
red -roofed bungalow. 

Helen. How exciting ! Tell us about it. 

Juliana. There isn't much to tell. They say it was 
constructed for a famous aviator who has planned a flight to 
the Hawaiian Islands. 

Mrs. B. Helen, just listen ! 

Helen. Oh, mamma ! 

Juliana. I talked with a young wireless operator who's 
staying at the bungalow. He said the air-ship is equipped 
with a wireless outfit. He's going to receive the messages 
they send en route. 

(Brown stands in the do or tu ay, limp a?id dejected.) 

Helen. Mercy ! — how can he be content with such a 
humdrum existence while men like father are braving the 
perils of the boundless sky ? 

Juliana (^glancing at Brown mischievously). Oh, he 
doesn't pretend to be a birdman — like dad. 

Helen (^proudly). Naturally not. 

Juliana. He declares California is good enough for him, 
earthquakes and all. 



l6 THE SKY RIDERS 

Mrs. B. {disdainfidly), H'm ! A very timorcus per- 
son, is he not, Algernon ? 

Brown {straighte7iiiig himself suddenly), Er — yes; very 
timorous, 1 should say. 

Juliana {laughingly'). Oh, I don't know ! 

(Brown crosses slowly to l. and takes a seat.) 

Mrs. B. Juliana, is it possible you haven't heard the 
name of this distinguished aviator? Hasn't your father 
told you? 

Juliana {evasively). I haven't asked. 

Helen. But surely you have a suspicion? 

Juliana. Why, I fancy 

Mks. B. {decisively). There's only one person worthy 
of this signal honor. 

Juliana. Goodness ! — you don't imagine ? 

Helen. Mother and 1 have known all about it for some 
time. We heard the news from Mr. Saunders, a journalist 
who will accompany the expedition. 

Juliana {stifling he?- laugJiter). Did you ? Well, who 
— who do you think this — this aviator really is ? 

Helen {very proudly). Why, he's our own dear, in- 
trepid dad 1 

Juliana. Ha, ha, ha ! Just picture dad with wings 
outspread for Honolulu ! 

Mrs. B. {severely). Juliana, I see no occasion for hilarity. 

Juliana. Don't you? Oh, dear! — oh, dear! 

{Laughs hysterically.) 

Mrs. B. {7vith dignity). Come, Helen, let us visit the 
hangar. I trust your sister will have recovered from this 
paroxysm when we return. 

{Exeunt Mrs. B. and Helen, c.) 

Juliana. Ha, ha, ha ! Dad, you're certainly a victim 
of circumstances. 

Brown. Circumstances? Don't say a word ! 

Juliana {laughing). Mother is so proud of the real 
Algernon Brown ! 

Brown. Well, she'll be the real widow Brown if I ever 
set foot in an- air-ship. 

Juliana {sitting, r.). It was such a ridiculous mistake 
for mother and Helen to make. 



THE SKY RIDERS I7 

Brown. Ridiculous ! — I should say as much ! Why, 
they never even waited for me to confirm or deny their sus- 
picions, but started for California hke a flash. 

Juliana. Poor dad ! 

Brown. What was I to do ? They even knew the iden- 
tical spot where Brown's bungalow was situated — said they 
read about it in the papers. I had no choice but to lease 
this establishment and take my chances. 

Juliana. Well — I'm afraid the chances are dreadfully 
against you. 

Brown. Of course they are ! Why, I'd rather be sitting 
on the crater of a volcano than living in the vicinity of this 
plaguy air-ship. 

Juliana {laughijig). Oh, cheer up ! The worst is yet 
to come. 

(Enter Teddy Nixon, c. He has ]\juan k's parasol. ') 

Teddy {fo Juliana). Beg pardon, Miss Brown ! I've 
taken the liberty to return your parasol. You left it at the 
hangar. 

Juliana (rising). Oh, thank you, Mr. — er — I'm afraid 
I've forgotten your name. 

Teddy. Nixon — Teddy Nixon. Not a bit strenuous, 
though. 

Juliana. So you told me — at the hangar. 

Teddy. Well, I meant every word of it. The fact is, 
I'm just a plain wireless operator. No sky-scraping business 
for me ! 

Brown (rising). You're a very sensible young man. 

Teddy. I'hank you, sir. 

Juliana. Mr. Nixon, this is my father, Algernon Gor- 
don Brown. 

Brown (/^ Teddy). How-do-you-do? 

Teddy (/o Brown). Glad to know you, sir. Awfully 
queer coincidence — your name, I mean. 

Brown. Yes — T — I suppose so. 

Teddy. Algernon Gordon Brown, the aviator, lives next 
door, you know. 

Brown. Er — so I understand. 

Teddy. The truth is, I work for the paper that's back- 
ing him for this Hawaiian trip. 

Brown, I — er — surmised as much. 

Teddy. Did you, really? Then I don't mind telling 



l8 THE SKY RIDERS 

you that Saunders, the reporter who's handling the story, 
asked me to interview you. 

Brown. He did — er — did he ? 

'J'eddy. Yes. To be frank about it, this parasol business 
was just a bluff. 

Juliana {haughtily). Indeed ! 

Teddy {ivith co}ifusio?i). Oh, I say, Miss Brown ! I 
don't mean that exactly. 1 — I mean — er — 1 thought if any 
of the others were present when 1 arrived, it — er — the para- 
sol, you understand, — 1 thought it might give me a decent 

excuse for intruding — er — without exposing your father's 

There ! I've done it again. 

Juliana. Ha, ha, ha ! I wonder if I ought to foigive 
you. 

Teddy. Please do. 

Juliana. I'll think it over. 

Brown. Mr. Nixon, you understand the situation — that's 
plain enough. 

Teddy. Well, I've talked with Saunders. (^Hesitatingly.) 
Shall 1 speak freely ? 

Brown. Certainly. I keep no secrets from Juliana. 

Juliana. That's where you're level-headed, dad. 

Teddy. You see, Saunders met Mrs. Brown and your 
elder daughter on the Overland. 

Brown. Yes ; they told me so. 

Teddy. They were very proud of your — er — supposed 
adventures. 

Brown. They haven't got over it yet. 

Teddy. And Saunders, assuming, of course, that you 
were the only original sky rider 

Juliana. One moment, Mr. Nixon ! I don't want you 
to ihink that dad has willingly practiced any deception. 

Teddy. Oh, I don't, I assure you. 

Juliana. We thought a winter in California would im- 
prove mamma's health. 

Teddy. I understand. 

Juliana. Helen remained at home with mother while 
dad and I looked around a bit for a suitable location. We 
arrived at Los Angeles in the midst of the aviation meet. 

Brown {dolefully^. Worse luck for us ! 

Juliana. Algernon Gordon Brown, the aviator, was per- 
forming the most wonderful feats with his aeroplane. We 
were interested 



THE SKY RIDERS IQ 

Brown. On account of the name, you understand. I 
thought he might be a long lost relative. 

Teddy. Exactly. 

Juliana {slyly). Brown is such an uncommon name ! 

Brown. Well, the combination isn't common. 

Juliana. That's what mother and Helen must have 
thought, for all at once we received a telegram stating that 
they had read about dad's thrilling achievements, and would 
soon be widi us in the new bungalow. 

Brown. I was completely flabbergasted. 1 hadn't 
achieved anything 1 knew about — not even a bungalow. 
You understand there was no time to set matters right 

Juliana. Oh, 1 knew mother and Helen well enough to 
realize that they'd boasted so about dad's heroism that they'd 
feel tremendously humiliated if they ever learned the truth. 

Brown. Fortunately, this bungalow, which adjoins 
Brown's, was unoccupied. I engaged it for the winter. My 
wife and Helen arrived yesterday ; they found the bungalow 
just as the papers pictured it, and uj) to date I'm still — in 
their eyes — the champion aviator of America. Of course 
this young fellow Saunders knows the real situation 

'1'eddy. Ha, ha, ha ! Don't let that bother you. To 
tell the truth, he's in just as deep a predicament as you are. 

Bi^owN. You — you don't mean it ! 

Teddy. I certainly do. You see he's desperately infatu- 
ated with your daughter Helen — fell in love with her at first 
sight. 

Juliana. My ! Things are progressing. 

Teddy. She told him her father was Brown, the aviator, 
and he hadn't any reason to doubt it. That paved the way 
for confidences concerning this Honolulu stunt, and she nat- 
urally took it for granted that he was to be one of the expe- 
dition. 

Brown. Well, isn't he? 

Teddy. Not on your life ! Why, he's more of a coward 
than you — I mean than I am. 

Brown. You don't say so ! 

Teddy. Oh, yes, I do. 

Juliana. Then he isn't an aviator? 

Teddy. Aviator? Why, he'd fall offa merry go-round. 
He's sensitive about it, too, and when Miss Helen praised 
him for his bravery, he couldn't bear to tell her he wasn't 
what she thought him. 



20 THE SKY RIDERS 

Juliana. Dear, dear ! Two of you are in a hole. 
Things are gelling more and more complicated. Whatever 
shall we do? 

1 EDDY. Search me ! 

Brown. Well, I guess the jig is up. We'd better un- 
mask. 

Juliana. But think how absurd mother and Helen will 
feel. They've described your sensational flights to every 
man, woman and child from New England to California. 
Besides, mamma's health is so delicate that a shock 

Brown {lioubtfully^. That's so. 

Teddy. Then there's Saunders to consider. He says 
Miss Helen will never forgive him ; and he's awfully hard 
hit. 

Juliana. Well, 1 suppose we've just got to let matters 
drift for the present. 

Teddy {jvith sudden enthusiasm^. I have it ! {Turns 
bazaar d ]i]LiAN A.) The expedition is slated to leave at sun- 
rise. 

Juliana. So soon ? 

Teddy. Yes; everything's in readiness, and they're 
merely waiting for the wind to shift. Now let's pretend 
that Saunders and your ftither are really on the aeroplane. 
We'll find some way of keeping your mother and sister home 
when the bloomin' sky craft sels sail. I'll fake wireless 
messages every day; and all Saunders and your father will 
have to do is to hide themselves till the expedition returns. 

Brown. Well, I like that ! Suppose it doesn't return ? 

Teddy. Never fear ! They'll be picked up by a steamer 
in less than twenty-four hours. Brown leased the red-roofed 
bungalow simply to be near the hangar while making prep- 
arations for the flight. As a matter of fact, it's the press 
headquarters, and you can stay with us there till the out- 
come of the expedition is known. Brown won't return to 
the bungalow, so the danger that your wife may meet him 
here later is eliminated from the case. 

Brown. Well, if this plot succeeds, I reckon Ananias 
better go 'way back and sit down. 

Teddy. Oh, brace up, sir ! You're 

(Sound of persons app) oacliing.^ 
Juliana. Hark ! Somebody's coming. 



THE SKY RIDERS 21 

Mrs. B. {outside). This way, Mr. Saunders. My hus- 
band will be delighted to see you. 
Brown. Yes, he will — not. 
Juliana. Courage, dad ! Play the game. 

(^E liter Mrs. B., Helen, and Horace Saunders, c.) 

Mrs. B. Algernon ! Algernon ! Look who's come ! 

Brown. Yes, I — I'm looking. 

Mrs. B. (^proudly). Mr. Saunders, this is my husband, 
whose fame as an aviator 

Brown {co7niugfo7ward hastily with outstretched hands). 
Welcome to our bungcdovv, Mr. Saunders ! 

Saunders {taking Brown's hands awkwardly'^). Thanks 
— thanks tremendously. 

Brown. Don't mention it. 

Helen. We met Mr. Saunders on our way to the hangar. 
Do you know, dad, he says the expedition is to leave at sun- 
rise to-morrow. We turned back to tell you. 

Brown. Sorry you took the trouble, dear. I knew it. 

Mrs. B. Knew it? 

Brown {glibly'). Certainly. Thought I wouldn't men- 
tion it, though — didn't want you to worry needlessly. 

Mrs. B. Worry? Algernon, the proudest ambidon of 
my life is to behold you, my dauntless husband, breasting 
the billowy clouds, monarch of the fathomless heavens 1 

Teddy. Well, say ! — that's going some ! 

Mrs. B. To-morrow morning at the first streak of dawn 
I shall be at the hangar to bid you Godspeed upon your 
journey. And like the Spartan wives of old 

Brown. That — that's awfully good of you, really ; but 
— but the truth is, I — er — I 

Teddy. You see, Mrs. Brown, spectators are forbidden. 

Mrs. B. Indeed ! {To Juliana.) Pray, who is this 
young gentleman ? 

Juliana. How thoughtless of me ! Mamma, this is Mr. 
Nixon, the wireless operator. (Mrs. B. bows stiffly. Juliana 
turns to Helen.) Mr. Nixon — my sister, Helen. 

(Helen bows.') 

Teddy. Delighted to know you both ! As I was about 
to say, Mrs. Brown, the presence of spectators is very un- 
nerving to aviators — er — isn't it so, Saunders ? 



22 THE SKY RIDERS 

Saunders. Yes ; yes, indeed — quite so. 

Teddy. By the way, you're all aware that Mr. Saunders 
is to be one of the expedition ? 

Helen. Certainly. 

Saunders {to Teddy). You — you have — er — consulted 
Mr. Brown ? 

Teddy. Yes, I've made all the arrangements, {^ig- 
nificantly,) Everything is coming out all right. Trust me 
implicitly. 

Saunders. Yes — yes ; I — I will — of — of course. 

Teddy. There ! Do you hear, Mrs. Brown ? I'm to be 
trusted implicitly. 

Mrs. B. Yes, I hear. 

Teddy. Well, then, in the — ah — interests of the expe- 
dition I'm afraid I'll have to forbid the presence of visitors 
at the start. 

Mks. B. Well, I declare ! 

Teddy. I'm sorry, awfully sorry, to have to take such 
drastic measures, but, believe me, there's a reason. 

Brown. Yes — there's a reason. 

Saunders. Certainly — there's a reason. 

Juliana {gleefully). Don't you hear, mummy? They 
all declare there's a reason. 

Mrs. B. Well, I'm not deaf. 

Helen {to Saunders). Mr. Saunders — Horace ! — tell 
us what the reason is. 

Saunders. Oh, 1 — I say, Miss Helen, please ask your 
father. 

Brown {hastily). No, no ; I'd rather not talk about it. 
Nixon, you tell her. 

Juliana. Ha, ha, ha ! Better let George do it. 

Helen. Well, 1 think you're all just too mysterious for 
anything. 

{Enter Koma, c.) 

KoMA. Beg pardon, mees ! 

Helen. Why, Koma ! — back again ? 

KoMA. Yaas, mees. I have fin' oud whad you have 
send me to learn. 

Helen. Oh, have you ? 

Koma. Yaas, mees. I veesit the bungalow — I question 
— I inquire — I hear a wonderful tale. 

Helen. Really ! 



THE SKY RIDERS 



23 



KoMA. Yaas, mees — a wonderful tale ! There is a beeg 
air-ship. Soon it will fly away — away into the West. 

Helen. My ! — that's interesting, isn't it ? 

KoMA. Yaas, mees ; it excites me vaery mooch. 

Helen. Excites you ? Why ? 

KoMA. Because 1 thing mabbee the great air-ship will 
fly to the home of my honorable fadders, mees. 

Helen. What ! — to Japan ? 

KoMA. Yaas, mees — to the sacred land of Nippon. 

Teddv. Well, what do you know about that ! 

KoMA. I don't know mooch, sir; bud mabbee I fin' 
cud. Beg pardon, mees; thang you — good-bye — 1 go. 

(^Exit, c. ) 

Teddy. Well, wouldn't that ! (As though a light 

had suddenly dawned upon hun.^ Oh, by Jove ! {Turns 
to Brown.) This is too easy ! 

Brown. What do you mean ? 

Teddy. Just follow my lead — that's all. 

Brown. All right — lead on. 

Teddy {to Helen). Miss Brown, you asked just now 

why the departure of the aeroplane should be kept a secret. 

I'll tell you. (Mysteriously.) This expedition isn't what 

it seems. 

Helen. ) at . 1 ^ -^ . 

TVT Ty \ Not what It seems ! 
Mrs. B. j 

Teddy. No. Beneath its tranquil surface there flows a 
deeper current. 

Brown. Yes, yes ; still waters run deep. 

Teddy. It's not a mere newspaper enterprise. No, no ! 

Mrs. B. Then what is it, pray ? 

Saunders. Hush ! — the very walls have ears. 

Teddy. Listen. Our country, ever fearful of the great 
yellow peril, has commanded your husband to fly through 
the uncharted heavens in quest of an aerial passage to Japan. 

Mrs. B. Just like Columbus ! Oh, Algernon, I'm so 
proud ! 

Teddy. If the voyage proves successful, it will open up 
untold facilities for commerce — and war ! 

Saunders. It may even lead to universal peace. 

Teddy. But Japan is always alert. That servant of 
yours is suspicious. We must move with the utmost 
cauuon. 



24 THE SKY RIDERS 

Brown. True. The Japs must know nothing of our 
plans till we swoop down upon them from the open sky. 

Teddy. To-morrow morning at sunrise — when the wind 
shifts — the huge, winged monster will mount into the vaulted 
firmament. 

Helen {eagerly). We'll watch you from here. 

Juliana. All but Koma : he'll be sleeping sweetly in 
his little bed. 

Mrs. B. And if he wakes, our presence in the house 
will disarm his suspicions. 

Teddy. Exactly. That's why you mustn't be at the 
hangar. 

Mrs. B. I understand. It's the duty of the aviator's 
wife to stay at home. 

Teddy. Correct. 

Saunders. Swiftly we'll fly away, chirping our wireless 
song like a bird. 

Brown. Honolulu will be but a twig on which to perch, 
and rest our weary pinions. 

Saunders. Then onward ! — onward, like a hawk, to 
Japan ! 

All {raising their arms dramatically). To Japan ! 

{Enter Koma, c. He has a note in his hand.) 

Koma. A note for Meestar Saunders ! • 

Saunders. For me ? 

Koma. Yaas, sir. It came from the hangar. 
Saunders {taking note and reading it). By Jove ! {To 
Teddy.) Nixon, look at this, will you ? 

{Hands note to him.) 

Teddy {reading note). What! Quick! There's not 
a moment to lose. The wind has shifted, and the expedition 
starts at once. Come, ]\Ir. Brown — Saunders — everybody ! 

Brown. Oh, I — I say ! — this — this is so sudden ! 

Juliana. Fie, dad ! No one's proposed. 

Teddy {to Koma). This way, Koma. I'd like a word 
with you. 

Koma. Vaery well, sir. 

{Exeunt ^'EUDX and KoM\, L. 2 e.) 

Mrs. B. Follow me, Algernon. Everything's in readi- 
ness, and I have a great surprise in store for you. 



THE SKY RIDERS 2$ 

Brown {dolefully). What ! — another one ? 

Mrs. B. Oh, you shall see ! A brand-new aviation suit ! 
I purchased it before we left the East. Come, we must hurry. 

Juliana {gleefully). Oh, let me come, too ! I want to 
see you strap on the wings, mummy dear. 

Mrs. B. {sharply). Juliana ! 

{Exil, R. 2 E.) 

Juliana {to Brown). Hop along, dad. Carol sweetly. 
Brown {groaning). Oh ! 

{Exeu7it Juliana ^;z^ Brown, r. 2 e.) 

{Suddenly Saunders and Helen turn toivard each other 
with swift, impassioned gestures.) 

Saunders. Helen ! 

Helen. Horace ! 

Saunders. At last we are alone. 

Helen. Yes — and the time has come to say good-bye. 

Saunders. Ah, but there's something else 1 want to say ! 
Will you listen to me ? 

Helen. Yes, yes; I'm listening. 

Saunders. Do you remember — ages ago ! — when we 
parted ? 

Helen. Can I ever forget? 'Twas day before yester- 
day at Oakland. 

Saunders. Since then I've thought of nothing but you. 

Helen {ecstatically). Oh, Horace, it's been just the 
same with me ! 

Saunders {eagerly). Really ? 

Helen. Yes. {Sadly.) And now you're going into 
danger. Perhaps I shall never see you again. 

Saunders {reassuringly). Oh, I shall be very near you 
all tlie time ! 

Hely.^ { puzzled). Near me ? 

Saunders {quickly). In — in spirit, I mean. 

Helen. • Of course. 

{There is a brief silence. Finally, they turn and clasp each 
other in an ardent embrace.) 

Saunders. Oh, Helen ! 
Helen. Oh, Horace ! 

{Enter Teddy, l. 2 e.) 



26 THE SKY RIDERS 

Teddy. Oh, Jerusalem ! 

(Helen ^;/^/ Saunders separate.^ 

{Enter Juliana, Brown and Mrs. B., r. 2 e. Brown //^r^ 
hastily donned an aviation costume.') 

Juliana. There, dad, you're accoutered to travel with 
the stars. 

Brown. Well, I feel more like traveling with a menagerie. 

Mrs. B. Good-bye, Algernon ! My heart is breaking, 
and yet I would not stay the march of Progress. 

Juliana. Stick to the metaphor, mummy. Flight of 
Progress, you mean. 

Mrs. B. {t-eproachfidly). Juliana! At such a time — 
how can you ? 

Brown. Well, good-bye, all ! Don't worry. We'll be 
safe. If anything should happen, Nixon will know just where 
to look for us. I — I mean we'll keep him informed by wireless. 

Teddy. Sure thing. I'll be at my post day and night. 

Brown. He will take our messages and send yours. 

IvIrs. B. Oh, send them very often, Algernon. 

Brown. I will. It will be almost the same as though I 
were right here. 

(Mrs. B. embraces him tear-fully.) 

Saunders. Good-bye, Helen. 

Helen, Good-bye, Horace ; we will watch you from the 
window. 

Teddv. No, no — remember Koma ! He may still be 
suspicious. 

Juliana. Oh, yes, we must be very, very careful. 

Brown. And now we're off. Farewell, my love. 

Mrs. B. Farewell, Algernon ! With stoic fortitude, I 
bid you assail the battlements of infinity. 

Brown (//^7^///v). Yes, yes, dear. That's just where Pm 
going. Good-bye. 

All. Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye. 

{Exeunt Brown and Saunders, c.) 

TNIrs. B. (fallino^ on so/a r., supported l?y Helen). Oh, 
Algernon, Algernon ! To think 1 never understood you ! 
My hero ! 

curtain 



ACT II 

The AVreck of the Aeroplane 

SCENE. — 77z<? same as Act I. The room is quite dark. 

{At rise of curtain, Koma enters, L. i e., carrying a lighted 
candle.) 

_ Koma. The monster dragon, Night, holds fast the land 
in his beeg black jaws. (Places candle on table.) I cannod 
sleep. {Goes to center doors and opens them. The faint 
glow of the sunrise is seen without. The li^ht increases 
gradually throughout the act.) My thoughts float with the 
great air-ship over the western sea. {Turns from doorway 
and comes down stage to c. Brown enters stealthily, c , and 
pauses in the open doorway, listening. He still wears the 
aviation suit.) Yoong Meestar Nixon, he tells me thad mv 
mistress believe her husband to be honorable aviator, bud 
thad It is nod so : she is deceive' —he is one honorable liar 

!"'^^ J XT-^'"' ^^' ^^ ' ^^'^ ^^''''S he fly off to the sacred 
land of Nippon ; bud no !— all the time he congeal himself 
down there in the red-roofed bungalow behind the umbrella- 
trees. 

Brqwn {coming forward). Look here, Koma : that will 
do. 

KoiMA (falling on his knees with fright). Ah, who 
speak' ? Is id voice of my honorable ancestors ? 

Brown. No ; it's the voice of your dishonorable master 
Get up. 

Koma {7uith relief). Oh, Meestar Brown, is id you > I 
was closely to the exploding point with fear 

Brown (sharply). Don't be a fool. Mr. Brown's on his 
way to Honolulu. 

Koma (/-/>/;/,.). Ah, yaas ! Honorable wireless man so 
narrate, bud I had forgod to remember 

Brown (snappishly). Well, see that you don't forget 
again. I m in no humor to be trifled with. 

Koma (lightly). Then I bodder no more with trifles, sir. 

27 



28 THE SKY RIDERS 

Brown {fretfully). Since midnight I've been waiting 
out there in the garden for a sight of that amber hide of 
yours, 

KoMA {obsequiously). Thang you, sir. I have mooch 
regred 

Brown. You'd better. Why, you locked the place 
tighter 'n a drum. 

KoMA {resentfully). Is id nod my bees-ness to guard 
fair ladies well while honorable man-of-the-house trans- 
migrates to Honolulu ? 

Brown. Yes ; but honorable man-of-the-house must be 
back in Honolulu before daylight, so hustle. 

KoMA. VVhad are your august wishes, sir? 

Brown. There's a white duck suit of mine in the clothes- 
press at the end of the hall. Go get it. I'm just about 
sweltering in this — this bird-cage. 

KOiMA. Vaery well, sir. 

Brown. And by the way, just cut out this "to be or not 
to be" drivel. I'm not "congealing myself" so you'd 
notice it, and I don't want to hear any more dissertations 
about *' honorable liars." Understand ? 

KoMA. Yaas, sir ; I thing I oonderstand. 

Brown. Well, then, get busy. 

KoMA. Yaas, sir ; I will fly 

Brown {savagely). Here, here ! — none of that ! 

KoMA. Beg pardon, sir ! I mean I will procure the 
honorable garments with — ah — celebrity, sir. 

Brown. That's better. {Exit Koma, l. i e. Brown 
7nops his face with handkerchief.) Whew ! 

{Enter Saunders cautiously, c.) 

SAVNDETts {in alou(lwhisj^er). Mr. Brown ! I say 

Mr. Brown ! 

Brown. Well, what the deuce ! 

Saunders. Excuse this intrusion, but Nixon's had an 
aerogram. There's been an accident. The air-ship is dis- 
abled 

Brown {excitedly). W-h-a-t ! 

Saunders {continuing). Wireless communication ceased 
in the middle of the message 

Brown. And you and 1 are supposed to be drowned, — 
is that it ? 

Saunders. Something very like it, I'm afraid. 



THE SKY RIDERS 



29 



Brown {imth resignatioii). Well, it doesn't surprise me. 
It's just another example of the luck that's pursued us from 
the start. 1 tell you, Saunders, I'm a fatalist. 

Saunders (^plaintively). But— but what can we do ? 

Brown. Do ? What is there left to do ? 

Saunders {dismally). Nothing, except to go jump into 
the ocean, I guess. If we're drowned we're drowned. 

Brown. Maybe you're right. I'here's no evading one's 
destiny, of course. And yet life looks mighty good to me. 

Saunders. Oh, I don't want to die either; but 1 simply 
can't face Mrs. Brown and Helen and tell them the truth. 

Brown. Well, I'm not pining for the job myself. 

Helen (outside, r.). Mamma ! 

Saunders. Hark ! — What's that ? 

Helen (as before). Are you awake? 

Saunders. Helen I 

Brown. The deuce ! 

Mrs. B. (off^.). Yes, dear. 

Brown. Quick ! Behind the palms. 

(Brown ^;/^ Saunders conceal themselves behind the palms, 
one on either side of the door.) 

(^Enter Mrs. B. and Helen, r. i e. Ihey wear kimonos.) 

Mrs. B. I haven't closed my eyes to-m'ght. 

Helen. Nor I, mother. 

Mrs. B. How Juliana can sleep so soundly passes my 
comprehension. 

Helen. She's dressing now. Of course she wants to be 
on hand to hear the messages. 

Mrs. B. Well, I'm glad she shows a little interest, even 
though it's only curiosity. 

Helen. Mr. Nixon is the real attraction, I'm afraid. 

Mrs. B. What !— that home-staying chatterbox? (Coti- 
temptuously.) Faugh ! 

{Both Mrs. B. and Helen are standing well to the front, 
their backs turned to the palms.) 

Helen. Aren't you a bit uncharitable, mother? Re- 
member Mr. Nixon is playing an important role in the 
expedition. 

Mrs. B. Yes, I suppose I am somewhat intolerant of 
timidity. Your father is so brave ! 



30 



THE SKY RIDERS 



(Brown steps out a bit from the palms ^ so that he is seen by 
the audience.^ 

Helen. And Horace, too ! 

(Saunders also appears to view?) 

Mrs. B. Certainly. 

Helen. But we mustn't forget, in our pride, that few 
men are so venturesome. 

Mrs. B. You're right, dear. Yet I admit it's hard for 
me to make allowance for those timorous natures that shrink 
from mighty deeds {turniii'^ toward the doorway with a 
sweeping gesture; Brown and Saunders scurry to cover) — 
hiding behind — er — each petty pretense 

Helen. Mr. Nixon managed Koma very cleverly. We 
should give him credit for that. 

Mrs. B. 1 do give him all possible credit for executive 
ability — and to show my appreciation, I'm going to invite 
him to breakfast with us this morning. By the way, 1 
thought i heard Koma stirring a moment ago. 

Helen. 1 hope you did. If he's up, we'll have break- 
fast right away. 

Mrs. B. (^going to doorivay, c). As soon as Mr. Nixon 
comes. It's dayh'ght already. (Points.) See ! The 
horizon is tinged with red. 

Helen (at doonvay). Yes, — and somewhere out there 
in the azure infinitude father and — and Horace are riding. 

Mrs. B. {rapturously). Dauntless pioneers ! (Brown 
moves a little out from the doorway, as though to get 
further away from Mrs. B. He is again visible to the 
audience, though unseen by Mrs. B. or Helen. He is in a 
crouching position, his hands clenched nervously at his side, 
and in his eyes there is a strained, anxious look.) Why, I 
can see your father at this very moment, his hands grasping 
the levers firmly, his eyes fixed and peering into space. 
(BROWisr ed'^es still further away from the doorivay.) Now 
he sails out into the open places boldly. (She turns and 
conies do7vn stage slowly, as though beholding a vision. 
Helen follows her to front of stage. Brown dodges back 
belaud the palms.) Now he is hidden in a wilderness — of 
clouds. 

Helen. And Horace! (Saunders /^(fri- out from be- 
hind the palms cautiously) — Horace is at his side. 



THE SKY RIDERS 



31 



Mrs. B. Yes — close at hand to aid and sustain him. 



(^E?iter KoMA, l. i e. He carries a white duck suit folded 
neatly across his arm.) 

Helen. Ah, here is Koma. 

Mrs. B. Oh, good-morning, Koma. 

Koma (confused, and holding suit awkwardly). Goo- 
good- morning, ma'am. 

Helen (^indicating duck suit). A spick-and-span table- 
cloth ! That's fine ! 

Koma (jtammeri?ig). Ya-yaas, mees. 

Mrs. B. You anticipate our wishes, Koma. 

Helen. Telepathy, I suppose. Orientals are exceed- 
ingly psychic, you know. 

Koma (vacantly). Yaas, mees. 

Mrs. B. We were just planning an early breakfast 

Helen. And find you setting the table already ! it's 
quite remarkable. 

Koma (stutteri?ig). Bub— breakfast — yaas, yaas ! — I 
will prepare it vaery quick. 

Mrs. B. That's good of you, I'm sure. 

Helen. Oh, you're a perfect jewel, Koma. 

Koma. Thang you, mees. 

Helen. We'll be ready shortly. 

Mrs. B. (turning in doortvay, R. i E.). By the by, 
places for four, Koma. Mr. Nixon will be with us. He's 
going to read us the wireless messages that came last night. 

Koma. Vaery well, ma'am. 

(Exeunt Mrs. B. and Helen, r. 1 e.) 
(Brown and Saunders come forivard.) 

Saunders (jealously). So Mr. Teddy Nixon breakfasts 
with the family in state, while we 

BiiowN (interrupting). Gnaw our bones down under 
the umbrella-trees. 

Koma (to himself). Huh ! The woods are full of liddle 
birds this morning. 

Saunders (sarcastically'). It's a charming little arrange- 
ment, isn't it? 

Brown (emphatically). It's fate — that's what it is. 

Saunders. Nonsense ! Shakespeare says there is a tide 
in the affairs of man 



32 



THE SKY RIDERS 



Brown {griffily). Well, I hope the tide will keep Mr. 
Algernon Gordon 13ro\vn afloat till succor conies. 

Saunders. Oh, we're the suckers all right. 

Brown. We won't be if Brown gets home alive. I'll 
borrow his glory — for domestic purposes strictly, and then 
you bet I'll rest on my laurels forever. 

Saunders. But Brown won't. He'll be sure to make 
another flight. Your wife will read about it, and where 
will you be then? You can't keep up this sort of thing 
always. 

Brown. Oh, quit ! Don't be so blamed logical. Jnst 
wait till I crawl into some civilized clothes, and we'll talk 
the matter over. 

KoMA. The clothes are here, sir. 

Brown {taking the suit). Thanks, Koma. {Hands 
him money.) Remember — mum's the word. 

Koma. 1 will nod forged, sir. 

Brown (to Saunders). Come, let's vamoose before it 
grows any lighter. 

Saunders. We'll have to keep close to the shrubbery. 

Brown. Huh ! Fancy a man's having to sneak out of 
his own home like a thief ! 

{Exeinii Brown a?id Saunders, stealthily, c.) 

Koma {gazing at 7n on ey). ''Mum's the word." Vaery 
well. 1 am like the honorable oyster : my mouth is shud. 

{Enter Juliana, r. 2 e.) 

Juliana {cheerily). Top o' the mornin', Koma! 

Koma. The tob of tlie morning to you, mees ! 

Juliana. Good ! You'll soon speak English like a 
native. 

Koma. Thang you, mees. 

Juliana. Do we breakfast early or late? 

Koma. Your modder say early, mees. 

Juliana. Oh, she's up, then? 

Koma. Yaas, mees — she leave the room joosd now. 

Juliana. And dad? What of him? 

Koma {exhibiting money^. Ah ! — " musn's the word." 

Juliana. Oh, I see ! But I'm in the secret, you know. 
Didn't Mr. Nixon explain ? 

Koma. He talk vaery mooch, mees. 



THE SKY RIDERS 33 

Juliana. I know he does. But I understand about 
dad's hiding-place 

KoMA. Ha, ha, ha ! I thing you don' oonderstand all 
aboud id, mees. 

Juliana. Why, what's happened? 

KoMA. Well, I tell you, nnees. 

Juliana. That's right — do. 

KoMA. Your fadder was here one, two minute' ago 

Juliana (with surprise). Here ? 

KoMA. Yaas, mees. And when your modder and 
seester come in, he congeal himself there behind the palms. 

Juliana {laughing). He did ? — what a joke ! 

KoMA. Sure, mees. The other honorable birdman hide, 
too. 

Juliana. You mean Mr. Saunders ? 

KoMA. Yaas, mees. 

Juliana. Oh, this is rich ! 

KoMA. Vaery reech, mees. I wish you had been here 
to see. 

Juliana. I wish I had. 

KoMA. Ha, ha, ha ! Honorable bird feathers make 
your fadder vaery warm. 

Juliana. Bird feathers ? Oh, the aviator's costume. 
{Laughs.) Goon. 

KoMA. He send me to fetch his whide duck snid. 
When I come back, 1 fin' honorable bird has flown off to 
his nesd in the palm tree: your modder and seester are 
here. 

Juliana. Poor, startled dad ! 

KoMA. I carry the whide duck suid folded across my 
arm — so. {Illustrates.) No one suspeg'd. Your seester 
— ha, ha, ha ! — she thing it was honorable table-cloth. Ha, 
ha, ha ! 

Juliana {laughing). She did ? — how ridiculous! Ha, 
ha, ha ! 

{Both Juliana and Koma laugh hilariously.) 

{Enter Teddy, c.) 

Teddy {luatching Koma). Well, talk about your laugh- 
ing hyenas ! 

Juliana {gasping). Oh ! — oh, what an insult ! 

{She moves to r., haughtily.') 



34 



THE SKY RIDERS 



Teddy (c). For the love o' Mike ! I've done it now. 

{Approaches her warily.) Miss Juliana, I 

Juliana {frigidly). Miss Brown, if you please. 

{She turns her back upon him.') 

Teddy. Oh, I say ! 1 — I didn't mean you, Miss Brown, 
— truly I didn't. Why, I never even saw you. 1 was 
thinking of Koma. 

KoMA {indignantly). Huh ! You thing I look lek ugly 
hyena — whad ? 

(Teddy turns quickly to Koma, who stands at l. Juliana 
smiles merrily as soon as his back is turned.) 

Teddy {to Koma). No, no ; of course not. I was just 
trying to be funny; but you Japs haven't any sense of 
humor. {Hands him money.) Here. Now don't you see 
the joke? 

Koma {pocketing money). Yaas, id is vaery foonny — 
now. 

Teddy. Then beat it ! Understand ? 

Koma (i-/;//////^). Yaas. Bead id — skidoo — vamoose — fly 
away ! 1 oonderstand. I go prepare the breakfast. 

{Exit, L. 2 e.) 

(Teddy turns again to Juliana, zvho resumes her offended 

air.) 

Teddy {pleadingly). Miss Juliana — won't you forgive 
me ? — please ? 

Juliana. Oh, then there is something to forgive after 
all? 

Teddy {hastily). No — no; I don't mean that. 

Juliana {severely). Don't you? 

Teddy. Seems as though every blamed thing I tackle 
goes crossways this morning. 

Juliana. Indeed ! I'm one of the "blamed things,'* 
I suppose. 

Teddy. Hang it all ! You don't comprehend 

Juliana. Strange I shouldn't, you're so — diplomatic. 

Teddy. Oh, I know I'm just a big, blundering idiot 

Juliana. How self-discerning ! 

Teddy {co?itinuing). always saying the wrong 

thing at the wrong time. 



THE SKY RIDERS 



35 



Juliana. Then why say anything at all ? 

Teddy. Because I want so much to say the right thing. 

(Si'gks prodigiously.) 

Juliana {smiling slyly). Is it as difficult as all that? 

Teddy. Well, I guess you wouldn't find it so easy — 
easy to choose only the politest words, I mean — if you'd 
been up all night listening to those uncanny voices flashed 
out of the darkness — Saunders at your elbow every second 
writing reams and reams of '< copy," and urging you to 
keep calling the air-ship off there in the sky. Why, I'm so 
dog tired 

Juliana {regretfully). Oh, I didn't understand ! 

Teddy {resolutely). 1 tell you the little veneer of hu- 
man polish wears mighty thin when you're right up against 
big, eternal forces that you can't fathom — forces like the 
wireless and — and that other voice — the still, small one — 
that keeps whispering, ** You've found her, you've found 
her, you've found her — the one best bet ! — the girl of all 
girls for you ! " 

Juliana. Why — why ! 

Teddy. Oh, 1 suppose I've said the wrong thing again. 

Juliana {falteritigly). I — I can't tell. I — 1 didn't 
realize you could be serious like — like that. 

Teddy. Thought I always had to play the clown, eh ? 

Juliana. No; only I — I've heard that — that little voice 
myself, and — and 

Teddy. Oh, Juliana ! — did — did it speak my name? 

Juliana {demurely). 1 — I'd rather not say. 

Teddy. Please ! 

Juliana. Why, I've known you only since yesterday. 

Teddy. Oh, time doesn't count. 

Juliana. Doesn't it ? 

Teddy. No — not in these days of aerograms and air- 
ships and motor cars. {Persistently.) Tell me, was it my 
name ? 

Juliana. Well, if — if you must know, I — I guess it was. 

Teddy. Then you care for me — ^just a little? 

Juliana {faintly). Y-e-s. 

Teddy. Hoo-ray ! We'll be married {Doubt- 
fully.) Will next week be too soon? 

Juliana. The idea ! {Shyly.) Why, perhaps mother 
won't consent to our — our marriage at all. 



36 THE SKY RIDERS 

Teddy. That's so. She's awfully keen on these sky 
riding chaps, and I'm a perfect landlubber. 

Juliana (claspi?ig her hands ecstatically). Maybe we'll 
have to elope ! 

Teddy. Juliana ! 

Juliana. Teddy ! 

{E?iler KOMA, L. 2 E.) 

KoMA. Beg pardon, sir ! Did you call ? 

Teddy (smili/ig). Yes, but not for you. 

KoMA {^puzzled'). Nod for me? {^VVitk sudden en- 
lightenment.) Oh, I oonderstand. 

Teddy. Well, since you understand so much, I wish 
you'd amble down to the wireless station. You'll find my 
assistant there. Tell him to send me any messages he's re- 
ceived since I left. 

KoMA {Jiesitating). Bud breakfast, sir ? 

Teddy. It's early for breakfast, isn't it ? 

KoMA. Yaas, sir \ bud 

Juliana. Never mind, Koma. I'll look after the break- 
fast. You may go. 

Koma. Vaery well, mees. 

(^Exit, c.) 

Teddy. Oh, Juliana, I forgot to tell you, but we're in a 
dreadful mess. 

Juliana. Why, what's the matter ? 

Teddy. Matter ? That blasted sky boat has capsized. 

Juliana. Capsized ? 

Teddy. Yes, I'm afraid it has. 

Juliana. And the expedition ? 

Teddy. Twenty thousand leagues under the sea for all I 
know. 

Jui.iana. You don't mean ? 

Teddy. Oh, yes, 1 do. The air-ship's wireless apparatus 
played out before the message was finished. That indicates 
serious trouble, of course. 

Juliana {shuddering). My ! — this is dreadful ! 

Teddy. There's one hope, though. 

Juliana. And that ? 

Teddy. They may be able to keep afloat till the 
*' Japonica " reaches them. 



THE SKY RIDERS 



37 



Juliana. The " Japonica " ? 

Teddy. She's a steamship near by. I picked her up and 
got her answer before I went off duty. She's on her way to 
the rescue now. 

Juliana. Dear, dear ! The disaster itself is awful 
enough, but think how it complicates our — our little — er — 
escapade. 

Teddy. That's so. Your father can't come to life con- 
sistently — at least, not after the papers have consigned him 
to a watery grave. 

Juliana. Oh, we ought never to have deceived mother. 
I'm going to confess the truth to her at once. She'll be 
mortally offended 

Teddy. Better wait till Koma returns. Maybe the 
boat 

Juliana. No. (^Enter Mrs. B., r. i e. She stands 
near the door through which she has entered, unobserved by 
Juliana or Teddy.) Think how mother will feel to be told 
that dad is out there in the ocean clinging to the wreckage 
of the air-ship — immersed in the hungry waves — waiting for 
aid that may come too late. Why, if we tell her that, the 
shock may kill her. 

Mrs. B. {serenely). My dear, you have a strange 
opinion of your mother's fortitude. 

Juliana. Mother ! 

Teddy. Mrs. Brown ! 

Mrs. B. (^coming forward). Mr. Nixon, I gather from 
my daughter's conversation that you have received grave 
news. 

Teddy. Yes, I'm afraid it is a bit grave, Mrs. Brown. 

Mrs. B. I'm prepared for the worst. Proceed. 

Juliana. No, no, mother ! Listen to me 

Mrs. B. Juliana, be calm. I am waiting, Mr. Nixon. 

{Enter Helen, r. i e.) 

Teddy. Well, you see, Mrs. Brown, about two hours 

ago I got the distress signal from the air-ship 

Mrs, B. The distress signal? — ah ! 

Helen {excitedly). Mother, what has happened? 

Mrs. B. Helen, be brave ! 

Helen. Yes, yes — I'll try. 

Mrs. B. {to Teddy). Continue, Mr. Nixon. 

Teddy. As I was saying, they sent out the distress signal 



38 THE SKY RIDERS 

from the aeroplane. We got into communication at once. 
It seems the motors were out of commission. 

Mrs. B. And that meant ? 

Teddy. That the air-ship must soon go down. 

Helen {wildly). Go down? — ah, no ! 

Mrs. B. Courage, Helen ! 

Juliana {impulsively). Mummy dear, I want 

Mrs. B. {to Teddy). Please relate all the particulars, 
Mr. Nixon. 

Teddy. There's not much more to tell, Mrs. Brown. 
The signals ceased very shortly. Naturally I surmised that 
the inevitable had occurred, and began sending out calls in 
every direction. 

Helen {inoving to doorway, c). Oh, you deceitful, 
treacherous sky ! 

Teddy {continuing). At last I caught the ** Japonica," 
informed her captain of the plight of the air-ship, gave him 
her probable bearings, and he's now steaming rapidly for- 
ward to the scene of the disaster. 

Mrs. B. Then there's hope after all. 

Teddy. Yes, indeed ! You mustn't feel disheartened. 

(Helen, who has been standing iii the doorway, c, a 
pathetic figure, gazing off in the directiofi 0/ the sky, now 
utters a piercing shriek.') 

Helen. Ah ! Great heavens ! What do I see? 

Juliana. What's the matter ? 

Helen {pointing off r.). Look ! — look ! 

Mrs. B. {hurrying to doorway and looking in the direc- 
tion i?idicated). Have you lost your senses, Helen ? I see 
nothing. 

Helen. It has disappeared through the door of the red- 
roofed bungalow. 

Mrs. B. What has disappeared ? 

Helen. The vision. 

The Others {at the doorivay). What vision ? 

Helen {tur7iing and coming down R., tragically). The 
vision of dad ! 

Juliana. Dad ? 

(Juliana moves to extreme l., a look of consternation on her 
face. Teddy folloivs her, and stands at her right. 
Mrs. B. comes down to left of Helen, who is at ex- 
treme R.) 



THE SKY RIDERS 39 

Mrs. B. {to Helen). Are you crazy, child ? 

Helen. Ah, no ! I saw him — oh, so distinctly ! 

Teddy {sotto voce to Juliana). The jig is up. 

Mrs. B. {to Helen). Hush ! You're overwrought. 
You couldn't have seen 

Helen {positively^. Oh, but I did ! 

Teddy {^interposifi^). Nonsense! — how could you? 
Your father is miles away — off there in the Pacific. 

Juliana {aside'). What a whopper ! 

Mrs. B. {to Helen). And in imminent danger, too. 

Teddy {turning again to Juliana). That's right, any- 
how. 

Helen {to Mrs. B.). No, mother ; the danger is over. 

Mrs. B. Dearie, how strangely you're talking. Mr. 
Nixon had had no recent message. 

Helen {beginning to sob). Can't I bub-bub-believe the 
evidence of my senses ? Sometimes the d-d-dead come back 
to life, you know. 

The Others. The dead ! 

Helen {still sobbing). Sus-certainly. Horace and dud- 
dud-dad are through with tut-tut-tribulation. They have 
pup-pup-passed to the Great Beyond. 

Mrs. B. {horrified). Helen ! — what are you saying? 

Helen. Oh, 1 know what I'm sus-sus-saying. It was 
dud-dud-dad's wraith I saw. 

The Others. His wraith ! 

Helen. Yes. He was d-d-dressed all in whu-whu-whu- 
white ! 

Mrs. B. In white? 

Juliana {to Teddy). Good gracious ! — the duck suit ! 

Helen. He looked j-j-just like a gug-gug-gug -ghost ! 

Mrs. B. a ghost ! 

Teddy. Well, what do you know about that ! 

Mrs. B. {with agitation). Ah, Mr. Nixon ! — this way, 
if you please. I — I'm afraid — I — am — going — to — swoon ! 

(Helen and Teddy assist Mrs. B. to a chair. She gasps 
fai?itly, theft falls back ifito the chair nnconscions, her 
arms hanging limp at her side. Helen grasps her right 
hand, Juliana her left, each kneeling. Teddv stafids at 
left of chair. ) 

Teddy. She's fainted. A glass of water — quick ! 



40 THE SKY RIDERS 

(Helen rises and goes out r. 2 e., siviftly. Teddy takes 
fan fr 0771 table, crosses to r., a7id fa 71s Mrs. B. vio/ent/y.) 

Juliana (on her kfiees). Mother, look at me ! Speak 
to me ! It's all a ghastly joke. I've been a wicked, wicked 
girl. And dad's been wicked, too. But Teddy Nixon's 
been wickedest of all. He made us pretend 

Teddy (^grimly). Spare your breath. She doesn't hear 
you. 

Juliana. Oh, what shall I do? 

Teddy (^fa7i7iing vigorously). Start the circulation. 

Juliana. Mummy dear, say you forgive me. 

{E7iter Helen, r. 2 e., with glass of water.) 

Helen. Here's the water. 

Teddy. Good ! That'll revive her. 

(Teddy ceases fa/uiing Mrs. B., crosses to l., and stands 
fantiing hunself.) 

Helen (^placing glass at Mrs. B.'s lips). Take just a 
swallow, dear. 

Juliana. Oh, Helen, we thought California would be 
such a splendid climate for mother's health, and now 

(^Enter Koma, C, with jnessage.) 

KOMA. A message for Meestar Nixon. 
Teddy {throwing aside thefa7i). At last ! 

{Takes message and reads it.) 

Juliana. A message ? 

Koma. Yaas, mees — oud of the honorable admosphere. 

(Mrs. B. shows sig7is of reviving.) 

Helen. See ! Mother is opening her eyes. 

Teddy {flourishing the message). Glory hallelujah ! 
They're safe. 

Juliana {rising). What ! 

Helen. You don't mean Horace and dad have been 
rescued ? 

Teddy. Surest thing in the world ! They'll be back 
to-morrow. 

Juliana. Hurrah ! 



THE SKY RIDERS 4I 

Teddy. I'll motor over to the docks and bring 'em home 

in triumph. 

Helen. Do you hear, mother ? Our heroes have been 
saved. 

Mrs. B. (somew/m^ dazed). What — what's that? Wasn't 
there any ghost after all ? 

Teddy. Not a bit of it ! 

Juliana. You see, Helen had a — a sort of hallucination. 

Mrs. B. (f'ising). You're not deceiving me? 

Helen. No. Koma has brought a message, haven't 
you, Koma? 

Koma. Yaas, mees. 

Mrs. B. And Algernon is actually alive ? 

Juliana. Yes, indeed, mummy ! And he's not very far 
away, either. 

Mrs. B. Not far away ? 

Teddy {interposing hastily). Relatively speaking, Mrs. 
Brown. She means it won't take him long to get back. 

Mrs. B. {wildly). Then he's still afloat out there on the 
shattered air-ship? 

Juliana. No, no, no ! You don't understand, mummy 
dear. 

Helen. He's really and truly safe. 

Teddy. And on board the "Japonica." (^Hands ?nes- 
sage to her.) See — here's the message. 

Mrs. B. (taking the uiessage and turning iozvard Koma). 
Tell me, Koma, this came by wireless ? — you're sure about 
it? 

Koma. Oh, vaery sure, ma'am. I saw id come. 

Mrs. B. Upon your honor? 

Koma. By all my ancestors, I swear id ! 

Mrs. B. Well, then, I suppose it must be so. But, after 
all, it's sad to think that Algernon has failed in his mighty 
task. 

{Reads message.) 

Helen. Failed — yes. But what a triumphant failure ! 

Mrs. B. {quickly). You think so? 

Teddy. Believe me, Pvlrs. Brown, the world will deem it 
a victory. 

Mrs. B. I hope so — oh, I hoi)e so ! 

Juliana. Why, it's just like Bunker Hill, mummy. 

Helen. Just exactly. 



42 THE SKY RIDERS 

Juliana. Dad and Mr. Saunders will go down to history 
with the heroes of antiquity. 

Teddy. Hear, hear ! 

Juliana. They have conquered the heavens and risen 
from the sea. 

Teddy. Hurrah, hurrah ! 

Mks. B. Enough ! — I am convinced. 

Juliana. We must greet them in a fitting manner. 

Mrs. B. Most assuredly, {Tur?is toward Koma.) 
Koma. 

Koma. Yaas, ma'am. 

Mrs. B. Go to the city at once. 

Koma. I go, ma'am. 

Mrs. B. Purchase dozens of flags and yards of bunting. 
Decorate the bungalow with all the colors of the rainbow. 
To-morrow shall be a day of feasting and festivity. Our 
valiant sky riders are coming home. 

(Koma statids near doorway, c. Helen is at r., 7inth 
Mrs. B. on her left. Juliana is near c, and Ieddy 

«/L.) 



curtain 



ACT III 

The Swallows Homeward Fly 

SCENE. — The same as Act II, except that a large cabinet 
talkijig-machine has been placed at the right of the cefiter 
doorSy and the room has been decorated with flags, toy 
aeroplanes, balloo7is, etc. 

(As the curtain rises, Mrs. B. is discovered inspecting and 
readjusting the decorations. Juliana is ?iear the talk- 
i7ig-machine e?igaged in sorting out records. She has a 
long pencil and a slip of paper, and from time to time she 
jots down a title. The strains of the j?tachine are heard 
before the curtain rises, and the ?nusic continues for 
several bars after the curtain is tip. As the selection 
ejids, Juliana goes to the machine and stops the revolv- 
ing mechanis?ti.) 

Mrs. B. {sitti?ig, l.). Music wafts away the hours of 
waiting most pleasurably. 

Juliana. Bravo ! The immortal WiUiam couldn't have 
said it better. 

Mrs. B. My dear, it's not a question of rhetoric when 
the heart throbs with expectation. Music is most eloquent 
at such a time. 

Juliana. Even the cold storage brand becomes the 
" food of love " ; eh, mummy ? 

Mrs. B. Well, love is oftentimes — voracious. At any 
rate, it was thoughtful of Mr. Nixon to lend us his machine 
and his records. 

Juliana. Not so awfully thoughtful. (^Notichalantly.) 
I asked him for it. 

Mrs. B. {shocked). You asked him ? 

Juliana (jwdding). U'm-h'm. You see, mummy dear, 
you've set the stage so gorgeously for dad's triumphal en- 
trance, I thought we ought to have a little incidental music. 

Mrs. B. {despairingly). Juliana, will you never learn 
to be serious ? 

43 



44 THE SKY RIDERS 

Juliana. Oh, Tai tremendously serious now. I tell you 
it's no joke to make an appropriate selection. 

Mrs. B. {reproachfully^. Juliana ! 

Juliana {reading the title of one of the records). ' ' Come, 
Josephine, in my Flying-Machine ! " That's not so bad — 
if dad had been christened *' Josephine." [Enter Koma, c. 
He carries a pile of records.) Ah, here comes Koma with 
the rest of the records. Place them on the table, Koma. 

Koma {placing records on table). Yaas, mees. 

Juliana. 1 wonder if there's anything suitable here. 
{Takes a record from the pile and reads the title.) 
"The Palms." Dad surely ought to appreciate that; 
don't you think so, Koma? 

Koma. ''The Palms"? {Langhs.) Oh, yaas, yaas, 
I thing he 'preciade thad vaery mooch, mees. Ha, ha, ha ! 
" The Palms " ! Yaas — yaas ! 

Mrs. B. {reprovitigly). Koma, Pm surprised. 

Juliana. Ha, ha, ha ! Koma was surprised, too. 
Never mind, mummy. It's just a little joke 'twixt Koma 
and me. 

Koma. Yaas — ^joosd a Hddle joke, thad's all. 

Mrs. B. {with dignity). Pm glad you enjoy it. 

Juliana {still inspecting the records). Ah, here's a bit 
from '* The Flying Dutchman." 

Mrs. B. Well, 1 hope you don't call that appropriate. 

Juliana. No — dad's a regular dyed-in-the-wool Yankee, 
I must admit. 

Mrs. B. Mercy ! — such expressions ! (Koma starts to 
go out, c.) One moment, Koma. 

Koma {tiiriiing). Yaas, ma'am. 

Mrs. B. Did you place Mr. Brown's motor coat in the 
car as I directed ? 

Koma. He took id himself, ma'am. 

Mrs. B. He took ? Why, what do you mean ? 

Juliana {quickly). He means Teddy Nixon took it, 
mummy. 

Koma. Yaas — thad whad I mean. Meestar Nixon mek 
departure in honorable motor-car four — five hour' ago. He 
tek august automobile uniform for Meestar Brown and 
Meestar Saunders. They will come back dressed lek stylish 
chauffeur' — whad ? 

Mrs. B. Yes — and they ought to be here soon, if the 
<'Japonica" docked on time. 



THE SKY RIDERS 45 

KoMA. I thing I hoarry 'way to garden and watch for 
them. 

Mrs. B. Very good. Let us know when the car comes 
in sight. 

KoMA. Yaas, ma'am. 

{Exit J c.) 

Juliana {faking up ajwther record^. Oh, mummy, look 
here ! This is the best yet. See ! '<• When the Swallows 
Homeward Fly." 

Mrs. B. {shaki?ig her head). Juliana, you're incorri- 
gible. 

Juliana. Indeed, I'm not ! Why, you yourself have 
declared that dad flies like a bird. I've heard you say so 
a hundred times in the past two days. 

Mrs. B. But I said it in all sincerity, dear. 

Juliana. Of course. 

Mrs. B. I'm not presumptuous enough to make light 
of your father's herculean endeavors. 

Juliana. Mercurial, mummy. I don't believe Hercules 
sprouted wings. 

Mrs. B. {in a tone of niijigled resigiiation and disgust). 
Oh, Juliana ! 

(Enter Helen hurriedly, c. She carries a newspaper in 
her hand.) 

Helen {calling). Mother, mother ! 

Mrs. B. Yes, dear, what is it ? 

Helen. Look ! They've printed an extra edition of 
the morning paper. And it's just filled with news of the 
expedition. 

Mrs. B. Really ! 

Helen. Yes — and, do you know, there's a splendid 
article written and signed by Horace himself. 

Juliana. Good for Horace ! 

Helen. See — here it is. 

Mrs. B. Where? 

Helen {indicating a column in the paper). Right there. 

Mrs. B. {faking the paper). Oh, what inky head-lines ! 

Juliana {looking over her shoulder). My ! — aren't they 
great ? 

Mrs. B. {scanning the paper). Why, I declare ! The 
*' Japonica " has lauded. 



46 THE SKY RIDERS 

Helen. Yes, indeed — early this morning. 

Mrs. B. Then your father will be with us soon. 

Juliana. Oh, give him time to see the fun, mummy. 

Mrs. B. The fun ? 

Juliana. Certainly. The reporters will be eager to 
interview him. 

Helen. They've done that already. And Horace 

writes just as though he were one of them. Isn't he 
modest ? 

(Mrs. B. takes a chair ^ r., and peruses the paper.) 

Juliana. Oh, yes, he's modest all right — if that's what 
you call modesty. 

Helen. Well, I don't know what else you'd call it. 
He doesn't even hint that he himself has participated in the 
great adventure. 

Juliana (^quizzicaUy). I wonder why. 

Helen. Why ? — because he wants dad to have all the 
credit of the mighty achievement. 

Juliana. By ''mighty achievement " you mean the — 
ah — baptism in the Pacific, I suppose? 

Helen {indigiiantly). No ! I mean a whole half day's 
conquest of the recalcitrant sky. 

Juliana. Whew ! A whole half day ? Helen, aren't 
your mathematics a bit too figurative ? 

Helen. My dear Juliana, mathematics is just the place 
for figures. 

Juliana {jvith a sweepi?ig curtsy^. Right you are ! I 
beg your pardon. 

(Mrs. B., who, during the conversatio7i betiveen Juliana 
and Helen, has been seated at R., scaniiing the paper 
eagerly, now looks up.) 

Mrs. B. (excitedly). Oh, children, listen to this! 

Helen. Yes, mother, we're listening. 

Mrs. B. (^reading from the newspaper). " * I shall never 
attempt another flight,' said Mr. Brown, as he shyly with- 
drew from the gaping crowd. * Not that my zeal for avia- 
tion has abated — quite the contrary. But there are those 
whose rights I must respect — those who are near and dear 
to me. It is not fair to them to risk my life in such a pre- 
carious sport.' " 



THE SKY RIDERS 47 

Helen. How truly nobJe ! 

Mrs. B. How superlatively unselfish ! 

Juliana. How tremendously lucky ! — for dad. 

Helen. What do you mean ? 

Juliana. Oh, nothing. 

{Sound of motor horn outside.') 

Mrs. B. Hark ! What's that ? 

Helen. It sounds like 

Juliana {at doorway, c). Here's Koma. 

{^Enter Koma, c.) 

YJdyik {with excitement). Hoarray! Hoarray ! They're 
coming ! They're coming ! 

Mrs. B. Where, where? 

Koma. Down the road and swift, too, joosd lek one beeg 
hoarricane. 

Helen. Oh, my heart flutters like a bird. 

Juliana. Now for the incidental music ! 

{She proceeds to adjust o?ie of the records in the talking' 
machine.') 

Mrs. B. (^looking out doorzvay, c). The car has stopped. 
See ! Your father is coming up the garden walk. 

Helen {at doorway). Yes, yes; and Horace is with 
him, 

Koma. Ah, but Meestar Teddy Nixon, he lead' the 
procession lek one vaery august general. 

Juliana {rapping o?i cabinet ivlth pencil). Attention, 
orchestra ! {Poises pencil like a baton.) Ready ! — play ! 

{The machine emits the strams of a spirited march. 
Juliana beats tune with the pencil.) 

{Enter Teddy, c. He wears motor dust-coat, gaunt- 
lets, etc.) 

Teddy {Impressively). Mrs. Brown, I have brought the 
sky wanderers safely home. 

Mrs. B. {fervently). Oh, thank you, Mr. Nixon- 
thank you. 

{Music should be softened or stopped here.) 



48 THE SKY RIDERS 

Teddy. I have the honor to announce Mr. Horace 
Saunders, wielder of the pen and denizen of the stars ! 

{Enter Saunders, c. He wears auto coat^ etc.') 

Helen. Horace, my hero ! 
Saunders. Helen, my angel ! 

(They embrace.) 

Teddy. And now behold the invincible potentate of the 
clouds, the one and only Algernon Gordon Brown ! 

{Enter Brown, c. He wears motor costume.') 

Mrs. B. Algernon, my dear, dear husband ! 
Brown. Alberta, wife of my heart 1 

{They embrace.) 

Juliana {to Koma). Kill the fatted calf, Koma. 

Teddy, Better kill two of 'em while you're about it, 
Koma. 

Koma. I nod oonderstand. No honorable calf in bun- 
galow. 

Teddy {dryly). Thanks. 

Juliana. We're speaking in parables, Koma. Just 
concoct your nicest lunch. The twin Prodigals have come 
home. 

Koma. Ah, yaas. I oonderstand now, mees. I will 
mek honorable speed. 

{Exiiy L. 2 E.) 

(Mrs. B. is at r., front, with Brown on her left. Helen 
is at L., fro fit, ivith Saunders on her right. Juliana 
and Teddy stand near the doorivay, c, back.) 

Mrs. B, Algernon, we were just reading about your 
magjnanimous decision. 

Brown {fnystified). My what? 

Helen. It was so like you, dad. 

Juliana {roguishly). So superbly altruistic ! 

Brown. Well, 1 — I'm afraid I don't quite catch your 
meaning. 

Saunders. I think they must be referring to the pledge 
we made each other, Mr. Brown — you remember — yesterday 
morning — out there in the Pacific — when death was staring 
us in the face. 



THE SKY RIDERS 



49 



Brown. Ah, yes ! — after the great air-ship had plunged 
downward into the sea like — er — like a wounded pigeon. 

Saunders. Exactly. 

Brown {turning to Mrs. B.). My dear, those were 
dreadful hours for Saunders and me, adrift on the tangled 
mass of wreckage. 

Saunders. Oh, I shudder to recall it ! 

Helen {sympathetically). Horace ! 

Brown {soaring eloquently). The waves were like the 
huge lapping tongues of Titans, mad to devour us ! 

Juliana {sweetly'). What were the wild waves saying, 
dad? 

Mrs. B. {severely). Juliana ! 

Brown. Many a time in the awful solemnity of those 
hours we grasped each other's hands in fond farewell — er— 
didn't we, Saunders? 

Saunders. True — too true ! 

Brown. The vision of our loved ones was ever before 
us, and we swore 

Juliana {nppareiitly shocked). Swore ! 

Teddy. With death staring you in the face ? 

Juliana {reprovingly). Oh, dad, how could you be pro- 
fane at such a time ? 

Brown {irritably). Who's talking about profanity ? I 
say we swore — resolved — vowed. There ! you've broken 
the thread of my story. 

Juliana {to Teddy). ''Story " is good. 

Brown. Saunders, what was it we vowed ? 

Saunders. Why — er — surely you remember. 

Brown. Well, you see, we made so many vows. 

Helen. Why, dad, we mean your determination never 
to take another flight. 

Brown {lightly). Oh, that ? 

Mrs, B. Yes, Algernon. Our hearts were touched at 
such devotion. 

Brown {feelingly). Thanks, Alberta, thanks. 

Saunders. You see, Mrs. Brown, we men are very dense 
at times. 

Mrs. B. Yes, I know. 

Saunders. We're so unlike you women. 

Mrs. B. That's a fact. 

Saunders. In our zeal for — er — acquisition, we often 
fail to view life in its proper relations. 



50 THE SKY RIDERS 

Juliana (Jo Teddy). Listen to the psychological wonder 
of the ages. 

Teddy. Horace, the boy phenomenon ! 

Saunders {continuing). We lack something of the 
feminine power of intuition, I suppose, and need a shock to 
clarify our — er — perceptions. 

Brown {hastily). That's it — that's it exactly. And yes- 
terday morning — when the shock came — out there in mid- 
ocean, we saw ourselves all at once just as we really were, 
ambitious, selfish, brutal. 

Mrs. B. No, no, Algernon ; you exaggerate. 

Brown. Not at all, my dear. In that dire extremity, 
we realized that the welfare and happiness of those we 
cherished meant infinitely more to us than any conquest, 
terrestrial or aerial, and we vowed never again to risk our 
lives in such mad pursuits. 

Helen. Oh, what nobility of character ! 

Mrs. B. What exquisite sacrifice ! 

Brown. Sacrifice — yes, my dear; and greater perhaps 
than you will ever know. 

Mrs. B. Oh, Algernon ! 

Brown. But I ask one thing of you in return. 

Mrs. B. Dear Algernon, whatever it is, 1 grant it cheer- 
fully. 

Brown. I knew you would. It is this, my dear : never 
so much as mention the word aviation in my presence again. 
It is fraught with such bitter associations ! 

Mrs. B. {reverentially). I promise, Algernon, I promise. 

Brown {co?iti?iui?ig). More than that, should you ever 
again see my name blazoned in the newspapers or the maga- 
zines, I ask you resolutely to refrain from reading what is 
said of me, even though I am heralded as the aviator of the 
century. {Loftily.) That page of my life is — ah — hermet- 
ically sealed. 

Mrs. B. That also I promise, dear. 

Brown. Well, then, we'll settle down to a bucolic exist- 
ence. I like California, and I'm going to purchase a fruit 
ranch 

Teddy {coming forward). Please, sir, Horace and I 
would like a job gathering your peaches. 

Brown. Why, I don't believe Horace is anxious to 
change his occupation. He's going to marry Helen, you 
know. 



THE SKY RIDERS 5 1 

Teddy. Precisely. And I'm asking for Juliana. 

Bkown {smiling). Oh, 1 see. 

Mrs. B. (with astonishment'). Asking for Juliana .?* 
Why, that's absolutely preposterous. 

Teddy (w^^/^fi-Z/y). Oh, I'm not worthy of her. I under- 
stand that perfectly well. 

Juliana. Nonsense ! 

Helen. You mustn't be offended at what mother says, 
Mr. Nixon. Of course, you may be a very estimable young 
man, but, you see, you haven't proved your mettle as Horace 
has done. 

Teddy. I should say not ! 

Mrs. B. Frankly, Mr. Nixon, you can't expect us to 
look with favor 

Juliana {crisply). Speak up, dad ! {Signijicantly.) 
Remember, one good turn deserves another. 

Brown {fiervously). Yes, yes — that's so. {Turns to 
Mrs. B.) My dear Alberta, aren't you just a wee bit severe 
on Mr. Nixon ? Have you forgotten how he stood by us 
when the gaunt hand of Death was stretched over the 
troublous waters? Why, if he hadn't stuck to his post last 
night, sending message after message out into the vast un- 
known, the '^Japonica" would never have come to our 
rescue, and at this very moment, I, your husband, would be 
reposing down with the shell-fish at the bottom of the sea. 

Mrs. B. {profoundly affected). Say no more, Algernon 
— say no more. {Turns to Teddy.) Mr. Nixon, take 
Juliana ; she is yours. 

Teddy. Thank you, Mrs. Brown ! I will try to make 
her happy. 

{Enter Koma, l. 2 e.) 

KoMA. Honorable ladies and august gentlemen — the 
lunch, id is served. 
Juliana. Good ! 
Helen. Lead the way, father. 
Juliana. Don't hurry. Wait for the music, dad. 
Brown. The music ? Oh, yes — certainly. 

(Juliana approaches the talking-machifie.) 

Teddy {to Koma). Did you assassinate the calf, Koma? 
Koma {gri?ining). No, sir. Honorable aviators lunch 
on birds, sir. I have cooked liddle quails on toasd. 



52 THE SKY RIDERS 

Saunders. How delightful ! 

Juliana {looking up as she adjusts a record ifi the machine 
— teasingly). Sorry we haven't any nectar or ambrosia, 
dad ; but when gods descend to earth, you know 

Mrs. B. {tuith extreme dignity). Juliana, have you for- 
gotten your father's wishes ? Remember, we are never to 
mention his sky riding exploits again, 

(Juliana starts the music. Brown offers his arm /^ Mrs. 
B., Saunders to Helen, ^;;^ Teddy /^Juliana. Koma 
stands at side of door, r. 2 e., attentively. All exeunt, 
R. 2 E., to the strains of the music.) 



CURTAIN 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

GRADUATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in Two Acts, by Ward Macauley. For six 
males and four females, with several minor parts. Time of 
playin" two hours. Modern costumes. Simple interior scenes; 
may be' presented in a hall without scenery. The unusual com- 
bination of a real "entertainment," including music, recitations, 
etc with an interesting love story. The graduation exercises 
include short speeches, recitations, songs, funny interruptions, 
and a comical speech by a country school trustee. Price, 15 
cents. 

EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 
An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight male 
and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour. 
Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a 
trustee who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- 
cludes recitations and songs, and brings out many funny answers 
to questions. At the close Robert Coleman, an old lover, claims 
the teacher. Very easy and very effective. Price, 15 cents. 

BACK TO THE COUNTRY STORE. A Rural Enter- 
tainment in Three Acts, by Ward Macauley. For four male 
and five female characters, with some supers. Time, two hours. 
Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. All the principal parts are 
sure hits. Quigley Higginbotham, known as "Quig. a clerk in 
a country store, aspires to be a great author or singer _ and 
decides to try his fortunes in New York. The last scene is in 
Quig's home. He returns a failure but is offered a partnership 
in the country store. He pops the question m the midst ot a 
surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. 
Price, 15 cents. 

THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one 
female, or twelve males. Any number of other parts or super- 
numeraries may be added. Plays forty-five minutes. No special 
scenery is required, and the costumes and properties are all 
easy The play shows an uproarious political nominating con- 
vention. The climax comes when a woman s rights cham- 
pion, captures the convention. There is a great chance to bur^ 
lesoue modern politics and to work in local gags. Every 
part will make a hit. Price, 15 cents. 

SI SLOCUM'S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eleven male and ^ve female 
characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled 
Plays one hour. Interior scene, or may be played ^ithotit set 
scenery. Costumes, modern. The rehearsal for an entertain- 
ment in the village church gives plenty of opportunity for 
specialty work. A very jolly entertainment of the sort adapted 
to almost any place or occasion. Price, 15 cents. 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

A SURPRISE PARTY AT BRINKLEY'S. An En- 
tertainment in One Scene, by Ward Macauley. Seven male and 
seven female characters. Interior scene, or may be given with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. Time, one hour. By the 
author of the popular successes, "Graduation Day at Wood Hill 
School," "Back to the Country Store," etc. The villagers have 
planned a birthday surprise party for Mary Brinkley, recently 
graduated from college. They all join in jolly games, songs, 
conundrums, etc., and Mary becomes engaged, which surprises 
the surprisers. The entertainment is a sure success. Price, 15 cents^ 

JONES VS. JINKS. A Mock Trial in One Act. by 
Edward Mumfokd. Fifteen male and six female characters, with 
supernumeraries if desired. May be played all male. Many of the 
parts (members of the jury, etc.) are small. Scene, a simple 
interior ; may be played without scenery. Costumes, modern. 
Time of playing, one hour. This mock trial has many novel 
features, unusual characters and quick action. Nearly every 
character has a funny entrance and laughable lines. There are 
many rich parts, and fast fun throughout. Price, 15 cents. 

THE SIGHT-SEEING CAR. A Comedy Sketch in One 
Act, by Ernest M. Gould. For seven males, two females, or 
may be all male. Parts may be doubled, with quick changes, so 
that four persons may play the sketch. Time, forty-five minutes. 
Simple street scene. Costumes, modern. The superintendent 
of a sight-seeing automobile engages two men to run the 
machine. A Jew, a farmer, a fat lady and other humorous 
characters give them all kinds of trouble. This is a regular gat- 
ling-gun stream of rollicking repartee. Price, 15 cents. 

THE CASE OF SMYTHE VS. SMITH. An Original 
Mock Trial in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eighteen males 
and two females, or may be all male. Plays about one hour. 
Scene, a county courtroom ; requires no scenery ; may be played 
in an ordinary hall. Costumes, modern. This entertainment is 
nearly perfect of its kind, and a sure success. It can be easily 
produced in any place or on any occasion, and provides almost 
any number of good parts. Price, 15 cents. 

THE OLD MAIDS' ASSOCIATION. A Farcical Enter- 
tainment in One Act, by Louise Latham Wilson. For thirteen 
females and one male. The male part may be played by a 
female, and the number of characters increased to twenty or 
more. Time, forty minutes. The play requires neither scenery 
nor properties, and very little in the way of costumes. Can 
easily be prepared in one or two rehearsals. Price, 25 cents. 

BARGAIN DAY AT BLOOMSTEIN'S. A Farcical 

Entertainment in One Act, by Edward ]\Iuwford. For five males 
and ten females, with supers. Interior scene. Costumes, mod- 
ern. Time, thirty minutes. The characters and the situations 
which arise from their endeavors to buy and sell make rapid-fire 
fun from start to finish. Price, 15 cents. 



Successful Plays for All Girls 

In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List 

YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts, 
by Mrs. E. J. H. Goodfellow. One of the most popular 
plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in 
playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod- 
ern costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a 
young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con- 
sult each other as to the manner of fascinating the physician. 
When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that 
the physician is a female practitioner. Price, 15 cents. 

SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank 
DuMONT. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, 
fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose 
of Masonry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a 
Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep, 
and they institute a similar organization. Price, 15 cents. 

A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter- 
tainment, by Amelia San ford. For seven female char- 
acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one 
hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street 
scene. Marian Young gets tired living with her aunt, Miss 
Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position." 
Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and 
school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. Price, 15 
cents. 

HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters. 
Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern. 
Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the 
deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win 
the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible 
ten thousand a year. At a tea Mabel meets her dearest friend. 
Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her. 
But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another 
friend and so the secret travels. Price, 15 cents. 

THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acts, 
by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female 
characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter- 
iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the 
play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order to 
chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims 
her as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties 
of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss 
Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnish 
an evening of rare enjoyment. Price 15 cents. 



Successful Rural Plays 

A Strong List From Which to Select Your 
Next Play 

FARM FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubes. For five male and six female characters. Time 
of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two 
easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a 
farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New 
Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, 
and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. 
DaAc Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by 
intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry 
Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip 
learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple 
plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience 
alternately to tears and to laughter. Price, 25 cents. 

HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, five female. Plays two 
hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four 
acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughtei* 
Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son 
of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. 
When Martin discovers who Harold is. he orders him to leave 
Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- 
covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then 
he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. Price 25 cents. 

THE OLD NE^V HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New 

England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven 
males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, 
modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich 
in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of 
the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- 
terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- 
uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play 
everybody understands and likes. Price, 25 cents. 

THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four 
females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- 
terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money 
from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's 
niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the 
wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting 
and novel. Price, 15 cents. 

A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four 
females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. 
One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a 
country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which 
results in their betrothal. A scoimdrelly clerk has the banker 
in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- 
mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girl. Price 
15 cents. 




Practical Elocution 

By J. W. Shoemaker, A. ^^ 
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This work is the outgrowth ol 
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The work includes a systematic treatment of Ges 
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Sold by all booksellers^ or «em, prepaid, iwfo fif^ 
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